Power-transmitting mechanism.



E. THOMSON.

POWER TRANSMITTING MECHANISM.

ABPLIGATIQN TILED MAY 1, 190a.

1,095,1 32, Patented Apr. 28, 1914.

Z SHEET8-SHEET 1.

Fig. l.

Witnesses: Inventor;

. I Elihu. Tho son,

' oqtty E. THOMSON.

POWER TRANSMITTING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 1, 190:].

H. mm 8 m 2% AB I m w a m P iv 2 a Elihu y o bty.

Witnesses UNITED STATES- PATENT OFFICE.

ELIHU THOMSON, OF SWAMPSCOTT, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

POWER TRANSMITTING MEGHANISM,

Application filed To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THoMsoN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Swampscott, in the county of Essex, State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new a and useful Improvements in Power-Transmitting Mechanism, of which the following is aspecification.

My invention relates to power-transmitting mechanism, particularly of the type in which the speed and torque of a driven shaft are varied, and its object is to provide a simple and reliable means by which the torque exerted on a driven shaft by a constantly running driving shaft may be easily varied from practically zeroto a maximum; and will automatically increase as the difier- .ence of speed between the .two shafts increases due 'eitherto an increase in load on the driven shatt or teen increase in the speed of the driving shaft.

In' carrying out my invention the driving and driven Shuifits are connected through a device which exerts upon the driven shaft a torque dependent on and automatically varying with the-difierence in speed between the two shafts. In the preferred form of mechanism the driving shaft develops a pressure dependent on its speed on some fluid, preferably. mercury, which transmits: the pressure to the driven shaft by flowing through motor mechanism arra ed to ro-' tate the driven shaft and to 0 er an in creased resistance to the flow of the fluid as the difierence or speed between the two shafts increases, thereby causing the 'torque;' exerted on the driven shatftto increase autol'uatically asthe speed of the driven shaft falls below that of the driving shaft, due either to an increase of load on the-driven shaft or to an "Increase in. speed of the "driv ing shaft. ,The pressure is exerted on the fluid by some suitable-pump -orsimilar device comieoted tp th'edriving-shaft and proportioned to the-fluid under a pressure dependent on "the of the shaft, and, which is preferably,ithough not necessarily,= in the form of a turbine wheel or the im-; peller =of a centrifugal pump immersed in; the fluidand arranged to put the fluid in motion through -chahne'ls which permit the fluid to circulate from the. outlet of the pump 'back *to the intake. A fluid motorconnected to the-driven shaft to rotate Specification of Letters Patent.

Iay 1, 1908. Serial 110. 480,287.

Patented Apr. 28, 1914.

forms part of the channels through which the fl-lnd must circulate, and the various parts are so shaped that the motor, which is preferably some variety of turbine or a screw propeller with its vanes arranged in the line of flow of the fluid, is subjected to an increased pressure on the vanes as the difference of speed between the impeller and the motor increases, since the vanes obstruct the channels and the fluid must drive them out of the way to .get through the channels. The fluid used is preferably one which has great density and practically uniform viscoalty under varying temperatures, and which will not :adhere to the containing vessel so that difliculties resulting from leakage through small openings are avoided.

these requirements, and only a small amount is required to transmit the amount of power required for automobiles and similar devices. The turbine wheels used, for the impeller and motor may be of any suitable type, either radial or axial flow, and in some cases it may be desirable, by changing the lnclination of the vanes to vary the relative speeds of the impeller and motor, and in the same or .in any other suitable way to vary the relative direction of movement of the impeller and motor and thereby provide a means for reversing the driven shaft where the driving shaft always runs in the same direction.

.My invention will best be understood in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are merely illustrative of some of the forms in which the inventionmay be embodied, and in which Figure 1 shows an automobile withone form .ofmy invention embodied in the transmission mechanism; Fig. 2 is alongitudinal sectional view of the transmission mechanism shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a cross-section along the line '33- of the mechanism shown in Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a cross-section along the line 44 of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a crossesection showing a modified form of impeller; Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section ;.of one form of mechanism in which the impeller shown in Fig. 5 is used; Fig. 7 .is a fview, partly in section, of a form of-reinf-rotation ofrt'he driven shaft and Fig. 8

,.is,a detail view partly in section of a sleeve Mercury is the fluid which best answers.

versible impeller for varying the direction slidably mounted on a shaft to control the position of the blades of, the impeller shown 1n Fig. 7. A power-transmitting mechanism em-- a variable resistance is required to be overcome, is articularly adapted foratransmission mec anisln for automobiles, since upon a decrease in speed of the automobile an increased torque is automatically exerted upon the driving wheels, while by simply increasing the speed of the en ine the torque can be very greatly increase for the purpose of overcomlng an obstruction.

The drawings show in Fig. 1. an auto- .mobile of the'conventional type in which the engine under the hood has a driving shaft 1 connected through a power-transmitting mechanism embodying my invention to a driven shaft 2 connected through the usual universal joint to the driving wheels of the automobile. The two shafts 1 and 2-, as shown in Fig. 2, are in alinement and both reject into a casin 3 filled with some iquid of great density, such as mercury. The power of the driving shaft 1 is transmitted-through the liquid by means of a driving member or impeller 4 mounted on the driving shaft inside the casing and pro.- vided with spiral ribs 5 so shaped that when the impeller is driven in the direction of the arrow 1n Fig. 3 the liquid is driven from the center of the impeller toward the peri hery both by centrifugal force and by the direct action. of the ribs, and is maintained at the periphery under apressure dependent on the s eedof'the impeller. The casing 3 is provided with channels which permit the circulation of the fluid, and the power is transmitted to the driven shaft 2 by means of a fluid motor mounted on and securely connected to the driven shaft inside the casing and preferably in the form of ascrew propeller provided with vanes or blades 6 so arranged that the flow of liquid, due to the action of the impeller 4 causes the motor to rotate and exert a torque on the driven shaft. In the form of device shown in Fig. 2 the liquid circulates through a channel formed by an annular guide piece 7 held away from the wall of the casing 3 by means of space blocks 8 and shaped to permit the liquid to circulate from the periphery of the impeller 4 over the vanes 6 of the that motor and back to the center of the impe. As the annular rib 7 is between the circular rim or edge of the casing and cylindrical hub on which the vanes 6 are mounted, the channel thirough which the fluid flows around the .7 has an inlet at the periphery of the impeller 4 having an annular section and an outlet having an annular section concentrio with the inlet and containing the vanes 6. .The fluid delivered by the impeller to the inlet of the channel can flow in a direct and unobstructed manner to the vanes '6 near the outlet of the channel, where the fluid is delivered to the center of the impeller and is again put under pressure by the impeller. By this construction the liquid is circulated, and as the speed of the motor vanes 6 decreases with reference to the speed of the impeller 4, the fluid finds greater difiiculty 1n circulating through the vanes and exerts agreater pressure upon the vanes, thereby causing an increased torque on the driven shaft. With a device constructed as shown in Fig. 2 the torque exerted on the driven shaft increases very rapidly with the difference in speed between the impeller 4 and the motor vanes 6.

The 1mpeller may assume various forms as long as it is constructed to cause a circula tion of the liquid in the casing 3, and in the modification shown in Figs. 5 and 6 the impeller 9 mounted on the driving shaft 1 is provided with rotary vanes or blades 10 wider at their outer ends than at the center, as shown in Fig. 6, and arranged to cause a circulation of the fluid from the center to the periphery of the impeller and back through a channel formed by a diaphragm 11, corres ondingto the. annular guide 7 shown in ig. 2, to the intake of the impeller over the blades or vanes 6 of the motor mounted on the driven shaft 2 and corresponding both in structure .and in function to the motor shown in Fig. 2. The motor is supported or steadied by means of a pivot 12 mounted in the end of the driven shaft 2 and coiiperating with a bearing in the diaphragm or guide 11. The operation of this form is substantially the same as the form shown in Fig. 2, and the torque exerted upon the driven shaft varies automatically with the difference of speed between the impeller 5 and the motor 6. I

In the various power transmitt' mechanisms above described the motor 1s driven in the same direction as the im eller and the torque varies automaticallywi h the difference in speed between the impeller and the motor. It may be desirable in some cases to var the effect of the circulating fluid upon t e motor and also to reverse the direction of movement of the driven shaft without reversing the drivin shaft. This result is preferably accomplis ed by makin ad- 'ustments in the mechanism which wi aritrarily vary the torque exerted by the motor, an will also cause the motor to rotate in either direction as desired, although. the fluid continues to flow in'the same direction. This result is ipreferabl accomplished by making the vanes or bla es of the motor element, which are set at an an le to the line' of the flow of fluid, adjustab 0 about their axes so that the angle of the vane or blade with the direction of the flow of fluid may I be altered and thereby alter the torque exerted upon the driven shaft by the fluid,

6 while a reversal of the inclinationof the vanes or blades will reverse the direction of movement of the driven shaft.

Where the motor is made in the form of a screw propeller, the angle of the blades may be changed or reversed b any of the wellknown devices used for t is purpose in motor-driven boats, and in the specific form shown in Figs. 7 and 8 of the drawin the driven shaft assumes the form of a tu e carrying lugs or bosses 19 in which the blades or vanes 6 of the motor are rotatably mounted. Each of the blades or vanes carries on its inner end a beveled gear 20, which in turn meshes with a gear 21 mounted on an adjusting shaft 22 angularly, adjustable the angle made by the vanes 6 with the axis of the driven shaft 2. The angular adjustment of the two shafts may be made in any desired manner, and in the specific form shown the hand lever 23 controls the position of a sliding collar 24 mounted on the driven shaft 2 and movable back and forth over the inclined slot 25 in the shaft; The sliding collar 24 carries a pin 26 which projects through the inclined slot in the driven shaft 2 and carries on the lower end a block 27 slidably mounted in a longitudinal slot or groove in the adjusting shaft 22. As a result of this construction a movement of the sliding collar 24 longitudinally of the driven shaft will cause a relative angular movement of the driven shaft and of the adjusting shaft, thereby altering the inclination of blades 6. This construction maybe used either for the impeller or for the motor, but

is preferably applied to the motor.

The operation of the device shown in Figs. 1 to 4 is as follows: The power applied to the driving shaft 1' rotates the impeller, thereby causing the fluid in the casing 3 to circulate from the center toward the periphery of the impeller. The spiral vanes 5 are shaped to assist the flow of fluidtoward the periphery of the impeller and ,as a result of centrifugal force and the action of the vanes the pressure maintained on the fluid at the periphery of the impeller is dependent on the speed of the impeller. The fluid is preferably mercury, of which a small amount will transmit a great amount of power, owing to its great density. The mercury circulates through the channels in the casing 3 and-through the vanes or blades 6 of the motor, tending to rotate the motor and exerting a torque-"on the driven shaft 2.

At low speeds of the impeller the torque exerted on the driven shaft 2 is very slight, and an automobile can be held stationary by applying the brakes to the rear wheels while the engine is running slowly. The pressure at the periphery of the impeller 4 increases approx mately as the square of the speed, and if the motor does not rotate fast enough to permit a free flow of the fluid through the vanes 6 to theintake of the impeller, this pressure is transmitted to the vanes, tending to push them out of the way and exerting on the driven shaft a torque which increases very rapidly with an increase in the difference in speed between the driving and the driven shafts. As a result of this property .of the mechanism, the torque exerted on the driving wheels of the automobile can be very greatly increased by increasing the speed of the engine, and on the other hand, if the speed of the engine is maintained constant and the resistance to be overcome by the driving wheels increases, the driven shaft 2 tends to slow down and the torque exerted on it automatically increases. With the parts proportioned asshown in Fig. 2 the transmission mechanism is reversible and power applied to the motor will cause a circulation of the liquid, which in turn will tend to transform the impeller at into a motor and cause it to deliver some power to the driving shaft 1, although the mechanism is not as eflicient as when running in the normal manner..

The operation of the form shown in Figs. 5 and 6 is substantially the same as that already'described, the principal difference being that with the form of impeller shown the pressure at the periphery of the impeller does not increase with the speed as rapidly as in the other form, and as a result the torque exerted on the driven shaft 2 is more uniform throughout wide variations of speed.

My invention may be embodied in many other forms than those shown and described.

and I therefore do not restrict the appended claims to those forms, but intend to cover all changes and modifications within, the spirit an scope of my invention.

lVhatI claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United 'States,'is 1.111 a power transmitting mechanism, the combination of a rotary impellingmember shaped to deliver at its peri hery fluid under a pressure dependent on t e speed of said impelling member, a'rotatable motor member shaped to ermit fluid to flow through it and there y exert a torque on said motor member, and a stationary casing shaped to completely inclose both said members and to provide an equally direct and unobstructed discharge passage from every point on the periphery of said impelling' member to corresponding points onsaid motor member, said casing; being filled with a fluid in which both said members are.completely submerged. v 4

2. A power transmitting mechanism comprising, a rotatable impellinig member shaped to deliver at its perip ery uid under pressure dependent on the speed of said impelling member, a rotatable motor member mounted parallel to said impelling member and shaped to be driven by the fluid circulated by said impelling member, and a casing completely inclosing both said members filled with fluid in which both said members are submerged, said casing being shaped to direct through said motor member along the axis of rotation thereof a fluid dischar ed from said impelling member, said impeilling member being mounted concen tric with said casing to provide equal clearance between the casing and the impelling member at all points on the periphery of said impelli-ng member.

3. In a power transmitting mechanism, the combination of a rotatable impeller for putting fluid under a pressure dependent on the s God of said impeller, a rotatable motor mem er having vanes set at an angle to its axis e'f rotation and to the flow of fluid, means for at will varying the angle of said vanes, and a stationary casing which encircles said impeller and said motor member and provides a discharge passage of substantially the same size at all points on the periphery of said impeller, said discharge passage leading through the vanes of said motor member alon the axis of rotation thereof and permitting a direct and unobstructed flow of fluid from every point of the periphery of said impeller-to the vanes of said motor member. I 4. In a power transmitting mechanism. the combination of a casing containing fluid and having two coaxial annular chambers communicating at their ends to form a continuous passage for the fluid, a rotatable motor member mounted to rotate about an axis coaxial with said chambers and having vanes which project into one of said chambers at an angle to the flow of fluid therein, and an impeller for delivering fluid at the same pressure to all parts of the chamber into which said vanes project.

5. In a power transmitting mechanism, the combination of a stationary casing containing fluid and having'two coaxial annular chambers communicating at their ends to form a continuous passage for the fluid, a rotatable impeller mounted in said casing coaxially with one of said chambers to deliver fluid from all points on its periphery to all points of said chamber at the same pressure, a rotatable motor member mounted co-. axially with said other chamber and having vanes which project into said chamber to be acted upon by the fluid flowing therein, and means for at will varying the eflect of the fluid flowing in said chamber on said motor member and thereby varying the torque of said motor member.

6. Ina power transmittin mechanism, the combination of a rotatab e im eller, a casingfor said impeller which is fil ed with fluid and is shaped to provide a passage having an annular section which forms an equally direct and unobstructed exit for the fluid from every point of the eripherfi of said impeller, said passage lea mg the uid through a predetermined pathito the inlet of said impeller, and a rotatable motor member havingvanes which project into the path of the fluid set in motion by the impeller and are set at an angle to the flow of fluid.

7. In a power transmitting mechanism,

the combination with a stationary casing containing fluid, of cooperating members mounted in said casing to rotate about the same axis, said casing being shaped to provide an equally direct and unobstructed discharge passage from every point on the periphery of one member to corresponding points on the other member and to cause the fluid to circulate through said members in the direction of said axis and thereby transmit power from one member .to the other by converting the velocity of said fluid into torque, one of said members being rovided with adjustable vanes inclined in t e direction of flow of fluid, and means for adjusting the inclination of said vanes to vary the effect of said fluid on one of said members. v

8. Ina power transmitting mechanism, the combination with a stationary casing containing fluid and shaped to provide a passageway with an annular inlet, of coopcrating members mounted in said casing to rotate about the same axis, one of said members having passages running in a direction having a radial component and delivering fluid to all points of the annular inlet of said passageway through which the fluid circulates through said members in the direction of said axis, the other of said members being provided with vanes cooperating with said fluid to exert a torque dependent on the velocity ot said fluid and thereby transmit power from one member to the other, andmeans for changing the inclination of said vanes to vary the relative direction of'movement of said members.

' 9. A powertransmitting mechanism com-' prising a disk shaped. rotary impeller provided with spiral vanes on its surface to force fluid from the intake toward the peiiphery of the impeller, a motor provided with adjustable vanes, a stationary casing for completely inclosing said impeller and said motor shaped to rovide an equally direct and unobstructed passage from ever point on the periphery of the impeller lea ing through the vanes of the motor to the intake of the=impeller, and means'for adjusting the vanes of the motor to vary the torque developed. a 10. A power transmitting -mechanis comprising 'a rotary impeller hav in passages for,forcing fluid from the inta e toward ,the periphery of the impeller, a casing for said impeller provided with a passage having an annularinlet which surrounds the periphery oft-he impeller, said passage leading to the intake of the impeller, and a motor with vanes set transverse to and at an an le with its axis of rotation mounted in sai d casing with said vanes in said passage. 511.1.The combination with a centrifugally acting rotatable driving member provided with passages running in a direction which has a radial component, of a rotatable driven member having working surfaces exr posed to the liquid, a casing which ineloses said members and provides a direct dis said liquid and'thereby vary the speed of said. driven member.

In Witness whereof, I have hereunto set 'my hand this 29th day of April, 1908.

I ELIHU THOMSON.

Vitnesses:

JOHN A. MCMANUS, Jr., HENRY O. WEBTENDARP. 

